Flathead Valley Weekly Update: July 23, 2011

Lots of excitement at the Event at Rebecca Farms practically in my backyard! Hubby and I jump judged along with other Back Country Horsemen and friends. We judged this morning for the advanced jumpers arriving at 6am for our instructions and to be trucked out to the jump we were assigned to, #1. 19 horses flew in from the east coast on Air Horse One with their riders. This is a 727 with horse stalls in it. I have NEVER seen so many spectators at the event today! People parked along the roads and walking into the grounds. Hillsides covered with chairs and spectators. It is free, you can bring your dogs, and there are vendors. The jumps are amazing. An old west town recreated with a jump over the saloon doors, a miniature historic train, etc. Being a jump judge, we use a walky talky to call in when jumpers have cleared our jump, record on paper the rider's number and whether or not they cleared. 4-wheelers come around and pick up our sheets, trucks come by frequently with drinks and snacks and even lunch. We are up close to the action and thankfully everyone made it safely over jump #1. Some others were not so fortunate on other jumps as we could hear called in on the walky talky. Tomorrow: Stadium jumping. Check out the schedule on the event web site. Here is a video of Air Horse One:

http://saddleupproductions.com/terf2011/theevent2011.htm

Took a long weekend last week and traveled south of Great Falls on Hwy 89 to see some scenery and camp in an area we had never seen. Very scenic and quiet. Packing all the fun into summer we can!